University of Denver Archaeological Collections

By Steve Moyer

Fashioned from yucca fibers, the sandal pictured here was probably worn over five thousand years ago and is one of the oldest artifacts found at Franktown Cave in southern Colorado. Among other items uncovered at the site have been stone tools, ceramic shards, and perishable artifacts such as rabbit-fur blankets, woven cordage, coiled blankets, animal snares, and hide moccasins. The University of Denver’s Museum of Anthropology has received funding from NEH to house 640 objects from its organic archaeological collections.